NFL notebook: Cardinals re-sign tight end Gresham

TEMPE, Ariz. — In their first free-agent move, the Arizona Cardinals have agreed to terms on a four-year contract to retain Jermaine Gresham.

The Cardinals had made retaining the 6-foot-5, 260-pound tight end a priority. Coach Bruce Arians often praised the player’s toughness and blocking ability, as well as his pass-catching skills.

Last year, Gresham said he took less money than he was offered elsewhere to sign a one-year deal with Arizona because he liked the organization so much.

Gresham caught 18 passes for 223 yards last season. Since he signed with the Cardinals as a free agent in 2015, Gresham has appeared in 31 games with 26 starts. He caught 37 passes for 391 yards and two scores two seasons ago.

Gresham was a two-time Pro Bowl selection for Cincinnati earlier in his career.

PANTHERS: Defensive end Charles Johnson will continue his long career with the Carolina Panthers after signing a two-year contract extension.

Johnson, 33, has played all 11 seasons with the Panthers. He ranks second in franchise history with 67.5 sacks. He had 25 quarterback hurries and four sacks last season in 13 games.

Johnson becomes the third Panthers defensive end this offseason to re-sign, joining Mario Addison and Wes Horton.

49ERS: San Francisco cut its second veteran player in two days, releasing safety Antoine Bethea.

That move came hours after the team announced it had released wide receiver Torrey Smith, who made it known on Twitter a day earlier that he was departing.

QB Colin Kaepernick opted out of his contract last week, so without him, Bethea and Smith the Niners freed up about $100 million in salary cap room for new general manager John Lynch ahead of free agency.

JETS: The NFL suspended receiver Jalin Marshall, a second-year player from Ohio State, for the first four games of the 2017 season for violating the league’s policy on performance enhancers.

The New York Daily News reported he tested positive for Adderall.

SEAHAWKS: Cornerback DeShawn Shead and backup linebacker Brock Coyle will not receive qualifying offers, meaning both players will become unrestricted free agents when the new league year begins Thursday.

Cameron Foster, the agent for both players, said the Seahawks have made the decision not to use the tender option as both players are restricted free agents.

BENGALS: The Bengals extended a $1.9 million tender offer to reserve center T.J. Johnson, making him a restricted free agent. His contract was set to expire later this week.

COLTS: Offensive lineman Joe Reitz has announced his retirement.

Reitz, 31, played nine seasons in the NFL, the last six with his hometown team.

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